Ever since Hemi Joel's unreal thread about driving his Dad's Corvair from Arizona to Minnesota, I've had an eye out on FB Marketplace should one pop up that was decent and priced appropriately. Here's a link to that thread, it was a great read. https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum...-late-dads-car-attempting-2000-miles.1244124/ I've always gravitated towards big, post-war yachts and full-size customs, not to mention I haven't owned a convertible since my very first car I bought when I was 15, an '86 Mustang. My daughter got a ride in her teammate's dad's Ferrari California last week, so she's been pressuring me to get a convertible since. Coincidentally, this car popped up for sale within a couple hours of my house and the price and configuration was right; convertible, non-turbo, 4 speed, with a color I could work with. I hooked the trailer up and took the drive. Now I own this cute 64 Corvair Monza convertible. (Please don't mind my filthy shop) The dude I got it from had it for about 5 years and got it from a local estate. That guy had done an amateur restoration on it and used it locally for cruise nights and just toying around with. It has new brakes and tires, and generally seems to run OK. It could probably use a tune up, but it runs well enough to go down the road, go through all the gears, and not stall. The basics work as well, high/low beams, electric wipers, etc. The top is a little shitty on the pillars, but in all reality, I'm never going to drive this car with the top up unless I happen to get caught in the rain. I figure for what it cost, it's a low risk/high reward situation. If the car sucks, oh well. If it's awesome, then it's a huge bonus. Excited to log some miles while I still have some convertible weather!
Verify that the 4 ground straps from engine sheet metal to body are intact, or it'll eat the clutch cable ...
Cool, 64 Corvair convert was my first daily driver. Went well though the snow but during some cold snaps only half the motor would start because the other carburetor was iced up. Happy motoring!
I think any car in your capable hands will turn out cool. My dad had a 66 with a 4 speed. It was really fun to drive, and the dash looked like a Camaro. I’d totally be open to another one
Love it. My first car at 16 years old in 1969 was a '64 Monza Spyder. Slow from 0-60 but at freeway speed that turbocharger gave that baby wings. At about 1,000 pounds lighter than the average muscle car, from 70-110 she didn't lose many fights. 4 on the floor, topless, a fun car! Good luck!
Cool! I have always kinda liked the first Corvairs and had a 63 convertible a few years back. It was fun to drive but mine was worse than an amateur restoration. Anyway, after trying to make it my son’s first daily, we ended up selling it. Good luck with it!
1964. The best of the early Vairs. Beware the multiplying Corvair syndrome. Next thing you know, you'll own 27 of them!
I had a 61 for years, great car, durable ,reliable, comfortable to drive, good on fuel [except when the gas heater was running] , and with a sand bag in the trunk it would handle like a race car. good luck with it
What daddy’s won’t do for their little girls! That’s a cute car she will love it when she gets her drivers license. Fix it up with her, build her her own kustom.
You got the best of the early body style. We absolutely love our little ‘62 Monza. I just wish it was a 4 spd (the wife doesn’t). It gets more attention out and about than any of our hot rods ever did. I’m hoping to start a little update on ours to change the look a little and I’m thinking of adding a supercharger. With the Powerglide it needs a little extra help. Congratulations! You’re gonna love it.
Yeah, having some ballast in the front if doing speed runs is a must. I had a buddy that had a '64 turbo 4-speed Monza 'vert and he went off the road (twice!) when the front end got a bit too light above the century mark. Luckily, he just spun without hitting anything and both him and the car survived intact... although he did sell it after the second time...
100# bag of sand was perfect in our car and a few lbs more air in the rear tires than the front balanced it out well.
Congratulations. These are really fun cars. I inherited my Dad's also. They call it the Kumquat. Have fun. Bob
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